Multiple credible reports confirm that the FBI was investigating Joe Kent for allegedly leaking or improperly sharing classified information before he submitted his high-profile resignation letter on March 17, 2026.

 

Kent, the former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned publicly via a letter posted on X, citing opposition to the Trump administration's war with Iran—claiming Iran posed "no imminent threat" and that the conflict stemmed from pressure by Israel and its American lobby. However, sources familiar with the matter told outlets including NBC News, The New York Times, Associated Press, Semafor, Axios, and CBS News that the FBI probe—focused on potential mishandling or leaks of sensitive intelligence—predated his resignation, with some describing it as ongoing for months (and unrelated to the resignation itself).

 

This has led to speculation that the dramatic exit may have been influenced by the investigation, though Kent has not directly addressed it in public statements.